It isn’t totally clear where Trump’s aides came up with the $375 billion figure, but NATO has been pressing member nations to spend at least 2% of their GDP annually on the military, and Germany spends somewhat less than that. Despite this giving Germany one of the world’s most expensive militaries, and despite them being on good terms with all their neighbors, the Trump Administration is eager to play this up as something they can bill Germany for.

They can’t actually do so, of course. There is no mechanism by which NATO can fine member nations for not spending more money. If anything, the administration’s escalation of the rhetoric is fueling more resistance from nations like Germany, arguing that a straight percentage of military expense isn’t a good metric for contributions to international order.

What an idiot. There is no money owed, Germany and most of the EU has failed to live up to the 2% of GDP commitment but that is more what you call a guideline. The US has stupidly (and for its own reasons I suspect) footed the lions share of NATO but you can’t send other people a “bill” for your stupidity.

The German economy is what 5X Russia? add in France GB Italy etc etc plenty of money and manpower to defeat a resurgent Russia. When the wall fell Nato could have actually said “mission accomplished” and folded up the tent. Well better late than never

Is he an idiot? We know he’s not keen on NATO. With the current stupidity over his relations with Moscow, he could hardly break up NATO. However, offending the other members will eventually achieve the same result.

AND, sources I can’t reveal because they asked for anonymity tell me, that he put it all in the aging boxes at the bottom showing that it’s over 180 days past due and that he’s going to start billing them 1.5% per month on the overdue amount. PLUS,if they don’t start making payments he’s going to turn it over to the IERS, that’s the newly rebranded Internal/External Revenue Service which he’s going to announce tomorrow.

Yes the USA can demand such money from Germany and more.It is because Germany is not a free country but is under USA occupation.That should be a warning for all countries dealing with the anglos.The anglos has no shame,no limits,just cowards bullying countries that can not protect themselves.But the anglos will have their pay.

There’s that Trump stock photo again!
The comments are mostly a show of Americans’ arrogance and that’s fine if it takes their eyes off the ball. Pushing Merkel and trying to humiliate her will eventually cause the German people to recognize that the threat isn’t coming from Russia.
The value to the rest of the world in having a psychopath as president! The US/Nato hold on it’s member countries could start to loosen.
That’s what makes the opinions expressed on this board a little hopeful. Americans are still buying into Trump’s big mistake of saying that Nato wasn’t useful. Likely the reason for Ditz using that stock photo again?

Most Americans support their country’s wars. And they will for the next one too. Nato is a military arm of the US which is needed to give legitimacy to US led wars. The US can’t revel that it’s the aggressor empire by going to war by itself. It needs to start wars by making those wars appear to be on behalf of Nato countries.

Where the hell have you been?

And ya know what? Even if the reason for the next war is phonier than the excuse for the Iraq war, Americans will support it with a majority.